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Virtual Console

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This article is about Nintendo's game download service. For the computer user-interface concept, see Virtual console.
File:Will mario.jpg
A screenshot of the Virtual Console Wii Channel.

Virtual Console is a video game download service that will be offered by Nintendo, to support its Wii games console. Described by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata as "the video game version of Apple's iTunes Store",[1] the service will feature classic titles from past Nintendo consoles (from the NES to the N64) as well as from formerly competing systems, such as the Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16 and others[2]. Virtual Console will also offer new and original content from independent developers.

Library history

For a list of games for the Virtual Console, see Category:Wii Virtual Console games.
File:Wii Virtual Console - Mario 64.jpg
Super Mario 64 on Wii's Virtual Console

While the gameplay will remain unchanged for all of the classic titles offered via the Virtual Console, Nintendo has stated that some of the games may be improved with sharper graphics or better framerates.[1] In addition, gamers may be able to download games that were not previously released in their region, and some multiplayer games may be playable online, if it is technically possible.[2] The Virtual Console service will not be used exclusively for retro games, however. Satoru Iwata stated in a speech on March 23, 2006, that Nintendo, Sega and Hudson Soft are working in collaboration to bring a "best of" series of games to the Wii.[3] At E3, Hudson also declared they would bring upwards of 100 titles to the Wii's virtual console. Additionally, Hudson mentioned that their lawyers are working on acquiring the licenses to games from now defunct companies.[4]

It is currently not known how third-party game developers will be included in this, though it is certain that some will be. The third-party developers may possibly offer their games at different prices. It was later supposedly confirmed by Craig Harris of IGN that Rareware titles would not be available to download due to Rare's current licensing (with the possible exception of the Donkey Kong and Star Fox games, as they are based on characters owned by Nintendo), but neither Rareware nor Microsoft has confirmed this. [5] SNK Playmore has recently announced intentions to help support the Wii Virtual Console by releasing Samurai Shodown series and a few other games to the Virtual Console.[3] Tecmo has also announced they plan to "aggressively" support Virtual Console by releasing classic games such as Ninja Gaiden, Rygar, and Tecmo Super Bowl. [4] Midway also plan to bring classic Mortal Kombat games to the Virtual Console.[5] At E3 2006's Wii Conference, a Virtual Console demo was shown with the following games being downloaded: The Legend of Zelda, Excitebike, Punch-Out!!, F-Zero, Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Wave Race 64.[citation needed] Whether these games will be available for downloading remains to be seen.

Unnamed Nintendo employees have reportedly speculated that licensing issues will be a predominant factor in determining whether a game is available for Virtual Console,[6] giving the examples of GoldenEye 007 and Tetris as games that might be too expensive to license for the Virtual Console.

Of classic non-Nintendo consoles offering content, the entire catalogue for these machines will probably not be offered, but the "best of them" will be available.[3] This gives the companies a pool of over 200 Sega games to choose from. There are widespread rumors surfacing on the internet which speculate that there will be Neo Geo, Sega Saturn, Game Boy, and Commodore Amiga games on the service at some point in the near future. [7]

It has also been revealed that new games are in development for the Virtual Console. [8]

Third party support

Support from Japanese third-party developers includes many of the major companies in Japan. Atlus, Namco Bandai, Banpresto, Capcom, Chunsoft, D4 Enterprise, Enterbrain, HAL Laboratory, Irem, Jaleco, KEMCO, Koei, Konami, NCS Masaya, Netfarm, Paon, Rocket Company, Square Enix, Sunsoft, SNK Playmore, Taito, Takara TOMY and Tecmo have all joined Sega and Hudson Soft as confirmed supporters. [6]

Pricing

On September 14 2006, Nintendo revealed that Virtual Console games in Japan would be priced at JP¥500 for NES titles, JP¥800 for Super NES titles, and JP¥1000 for Nintendo 64 titles, with points purchasable via credit card or a "Wii Points" card. In the United States, Wii Points are priced at one penny each (2000 points for $US20), yielding game prices of US$5, US$8 and US$10, respectively.[7][8]. In the UK, Wii Points cost £14.99 per 2000, and in the Eurozone, EUR2000 per 2000.

Country NES SNES N64 Genesis TurboGrafx-16 Commodore 64 MSX
Wii Points 500 800 1000 800 (600 in Japan) 600 - -
Australia $7.50 $12 $15 $12 - - -
Europe €5 €8 €10 €8 €6 - -
Japan ¥500 ¥800 ¥1000 ¥600 ¥600 - -
United Kingdom £3.50 £5.60 £7 £5.60 £4.20 - -
United States $5 $8 $10 $8 $6 - -

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has indicated that new small-scale titles could be developed and sold through the Virtual Console at a price of between JP¥500 and ¥1000 (approximately US$4-$9, GB£2-£5),[9][10] and that free downloads may be offered as a bonus with the purchase of specific Wii titles, similar to Nintendo Europe's VIP 24:7 incentives.[11]

Storage and Control

The classic controller can be used to control games from the Virtual Console

Games downloaded from Virtual Console library will be stored on Wii's built-in 512MB flash memory and additional downloads may be stored on SD cards. If the internal memory is filled, Virtual Console games can be deleted to create more room. If the player wants to play those deleted games at a later date, they can be downloaded again at no additional cost. The Virtual Console games are locked to the Wii they were bought on, so you cannot run your virtual console games on another Wii by simply swapping the memory cards. In the event that a Wii is damaged and the Virtual Console games can no longer be played, Nintendo will provide support[12]

The Virtual Console service will be region-locked[9] - that is, different versions of games will be provided to different regions, and the game ranges may vary from region to region.

Virtual Console games can be played using three different controllers. The Wii Remote itself (turned on its side) can be used for NES and TurboGrafx-16 games[12], and the separately sold Nintendo "Classic Controller" can be used for all Virtual Console games. Lastly, the controllers from the Nintendo GameCube can be used for all games.

All Virtual Console games have their buttons mapped to the respective buttons on the controllers, e.g. you cannot use an Analog Stick instead of a D-Pad in Super Mario Bros, and you can't use X and Y instead of A and B.[citation needed]

Launch window Titles

You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|November 2006|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
 This is the table of classic games that will be available for download on the Virtual Console in 2006. More and more games will be available for download on the Virtual Console as time passes by. 10 titles per month will be added starting in January 2007. (Launch Titles are in Bold other Virtual Console Games are not bolded)

System North America[10][11] Japan[12] Australia[13] Europe[14]
NES
SNES
N64
Sega Genesis
TurboGrafx-16

See also

References

  1. ^ Patrick Klepek (21 June, 2005). "Nintendo Remaking Classics". 1up.com. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Miyamoto and Iwata Talk Revolution". IGN. July 25, 2005.
  3. ^ a b "GDC 06: Revolution to play Genesis, TurboGrafx games". Retrieved 2006-03-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "gamespot" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "E3 2006: Hudson Declares 100 Games for Wii". Retrieved 2006-05-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Rare games for Nintendo Virtual Console?". Retrieved 2006-05-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Live From E3: Fun Wii Facts Confirmed". Retrieved 2006-05-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "Nintendo, Sega team for gaming [[iTunes]] service". Retrieved 2006-03-24]. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help); Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "Virtual Console Launch List". Retrieved 2006-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Template:Ja icon "Wiiの発売日、価格の発表は9月。WiiとDSの連動は『ポケモン』から". Famitsu. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  10. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2006-06-07). "Virtual Console Prices Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 2006-06-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ "Iwata: Revolution downloads not free". CNET. June 8, 2005.
  12. ^ a b "Interview: Virtual Console: Secrets exposed". ComputerAndVideoGames.Com. November 3, 2006.

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